Heel-weight



(No Model.)

' G. HOWLAND.

' HBEL' WEIGHT.-

Patented Oct. 30, 1888.

m m fl y M n r o t t l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE HOWLAND, OF SHERVOOD, NEW YORK.

HEEL-WEIGHT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 392.154, dated October 30, 1.888.

Application filed J unc 22, 1888. Serial No. 277,931. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE HOWLAND, a citizen of the United States of America, residing atSherwood, in the county of Cayuga and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Heel WVeights for Horses; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to foot-weights for horses, the objects being to cause a horse to carry his feet farther and in a more direct line in trotting, thus increasing the stride and lessening any tendency to interfere.

With these objects in view the invention consists in the novel features and combinations to be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved foot-weight. Fig. 2 is a vertical "section through a horses foot, showing the heelweight in position.

My newly'devised heel-weight is composed of a weight pad or pocket, A, shaped to fit the hoof between the fetlock and frog, passing just in rear of and above the rear ends of the shoe.

To the ends of the weight-pad A are secured straps a, designed to fit and be fastened across the corona or crown of the hoof by means of a buckle To the lower inner edge of the weight-pad are secured the split ends b of a strap, 13, the forward end of which is designed to pass through a notch formed in the peak of the hoof, and from thence upward to be secured to a buckle carried by a loop, 0, through which the strap a passes.

The weight-pad is constructed of a pocket of leather inclosing a leaden filling of any required weight, the lower outer side of the leather pocket being protected by a plate, A, of metal, to prevent wear.

The strap B is split at its rear end to straddle the frog and prevent any undue pressure thereon.

In practical use it will be found that the heel-weight possesses advantages over the toeweights now in use, as it carries the foot farther forward at each step and causes it to travel in a more direct line, thus lessening the liability of a horse to interfere and rendering the use of boots unnecessary, though boots may be used with my heel-weight if desired.

Owing to the arrangement of securing-straps, herein shown, the weight-pad will be held firmly against the heel, and may be readily removed and replaced.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

1. A heel-weight for horses, consisting of a sack or pocket shaped to fit the heel of the hoof, a weightsecured within said pocket, and straps to secure the pocket upon the hoof, substantially as described.

2. A heel-weight for horses, consisting of a pocket shaped to fit the heel of the hoof, a filling of lead secured Within the pocket, straps secured to the ends of the pocket designed to be fastened across the crown of the hoof, and a strap secured to the lower inner edge of the pocket designed to pass over the peak of the hoof and be secured to the strap crossing the crown thereof, substantially as described.

3. A heel-weight for horses, consisting of a pocket, A, shaped to fit the heel of the hoof and inclosing a weight, straps secured to the endsv of the pocket, a strap, B, the inner split ends of which are secured on either side of the center of the pocket, and aplate, A, of metal, to protect the lower outer edge of the pocket, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE HOWLAND.

Witnesses:

PATRICK HICKEY, E. T. BROWN, 

